Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Last day of June - depending on where you are it is either the beginning of Summer (Taiwan); the middle of the Summer (USA) or the end of Summer (Philippines)... No Matter where you may be, I only wish that you are all well - and all is going as smooth as they could be... and that you are finding Happiness...

On that note, I leave you a couple of quotes on LIFE & HAPPINESS... words to ponder over - words to live by...

-from the Dalai Lama:"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."

-and this one from my very good friend, Mary E:"...if you're able to find some happiness for yourself and bring a little happiness to others, then you're living a good life."=================================================
-and my very own stance on Happiness:

"Find happiness in anything and everything you do & see in life... no matter how small or simple they may be.... as sometimes, the small things in life is what gives us the biggest pleasures."

Monday, June 29, 2009

SOMETHING CUTE TO START OF THE BRAND NEW WEEK!Here's another cute way to keep cool this Summer.... Battery Operated Mini Fan in various KAWAII designs.... Lately I have been seeing a bunch of different designs of these mini fans - from Disney characters to Japanese Anime figures.... but the ones that appeal to me are these ASIAN characters themed one... with the BLUE one am holding being my fave...Measuring less than 3 inches tall, they are lite enough that you can totally wear them around your neck - take them to go hiking for some cooling break or clubbing and they can double as conversational pieces...

Saturday, June 27, 2009

"When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."-From the tombstone of a gay Vietnam veteran

"Why can't they have gay people in the army? Personally, I think they are just afraid of a thousand guys with M16s going: Who'd you call a faggot?" John Stewart on homophobia in the military

"Soldiers who are not afraid of guns, bombs, capture, torture or death say they are afraid of homosexuals. Clearly we should not be used as soldiers; we should be used as weapons."Letter to the editor, The Advocate

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?"-Ernest Gaines on ill-conceived machismo

"If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: Hello. Can't work today, still queer."-Robin Tyler on a possible positive thing about being queer

"What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it's curved like a road through mountains."Tennessee Williams (A Streetcar Named Desire, 1947) defining "straight"

"If gays are granted rights, next we'll have to give rights to prostitutes and to people who sleep with St. Bernards and to nailbiters."Anita Bryant proving how ill-informed a person can be

"My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world at large with surprise and horror." W. Somerset Maugham speaking common sense

"There is only one success – to spend your life in your own way." Christopher Morley states the obvious

"The most important thing is to be whatever you are without shame." -Rod Steiger on pride

"The best things and best people rise out of their separateness. I'm against a homogenized society because I want the cream to rise." Robert Frost on uniqueness

"Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions." Woody Allen's take on love - and sex

"Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven't had that, what have you had?" -Henry James on living to the fullestHappy Pride Weekend Ya All!!!

Though we try not to eat as much JUNK FOOD - now and again something just catches our eyes.... just like this new AD from McDonalds... nope not the HUNKY Popular Taiwan Soap Opera Star, but actually the new Burger offering - with QUADRUPLE MEAT!!For NT$140 - you get this Tasty Burger with 4 X the meat patty & the works (veggies & sauce); Large Fries & a Super Large Drink -- We just had to try it.... and as an added BONUS for a Limited time offer, with each meal set order - you get a FREE Coke Contour Glass, available in Blue, Green, lime, Pink, Purple... so how can you top that... so far we have the Blue, Pink, Purple & Green versions -- so you know, we have tried this new offering not just once, but actually a few times.... and We're Lovin' It!!!

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Farrah's longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal, said in a statement to Access. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

Thursday, June 25, 2009

June 20th - An Evening at The National Palace Museum to revel in the art of Puppetry.For Two weeks, The National Palace Museum held an outdoor event highlighting the wonders and splendours of the world of Puppet Theatre. As most people know, Taiwan is pretty much well known for it's Chinese Puppetry, commonly known as PILI. On the eve of the last nite, with the weather agreeing, David and I ventured to the Museum, about a 15 to 20 mins ride on a scooter. Indeed, with the rain on a hiatus for the nite, the turn out was pretty good. It was truly a beautiful nite, to take in the Puppet show, get to see and hear the Master and founder of PILI talk about the history of Chinese Puppetry & PILI itself. And even see a few people dress in Ancient Costumes -- as they take part on a Museum Contest prior to the start of the Puppet Show.

After the show, we rewarded ourselves with another one of Taiwan's Specialty - Pearl Drink!COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

During one of my rummages through Antique shops in Manila, I came across these wooden male Angels... I was told they are called Bastidors and that they were originally made (for altars in churches and homes alike)and popular in the 19th Century Spanish Colonial Times....

So far, this is the only INFO I have gathered on them: Originally the faces are made of IVORY or Porcelain... and as you can see, there is a torso, articulated hands and arms... and a skirt type lower body -- as most were dressed in robes...The ones I got above are definitely reproductions -- as it is all made of wood... they appeal to me not only because they are MALE ANGELS but also because they fit right in with my very own MENSAJERO bois...DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY INFO ON THESE THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH ME???

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Just came across this while net surfing... and liked it... thought I'd share here...."We are like Dorothy in Oz. In our journey, we're going to run into a few scarecrows, some people who just don't have a brain, and our role is to help them understand and educate them. There are the tin woodsmen who don't have a heart, and we have to present ourselves as real people and make them understand that it's about caring. ... And there's the toughest ones of all, the cowardly lions, who just need that courage. We talk to them privately and they do the right thing most of the time but when push comes to shove, when it's really on the line, they need that extra courage." -Brian Perry, Professional Ice Hockey Player

-so keep a look out for these characters while you travel your own Yellow Brick Roads... Keep an Open Mind and Try to Help when you can... Sometimes all one needs is another person to Help and Push them to do their BEST!!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A couple of days ago, while having coffee and lounging about at home with Lynn and David - we got to thinking about Father's Day and it's origins... you see in Taiwan it is CELEBRATED on August 8 (8/8), pronounced BaBa - which is closed to Papa, hence, why it was chosen to be celebrated on this day...

So they asked me why the US (and everywhere else in the world) celebrates on the third SUNDAY each year? And I was lost for words -- I honestly did not know.

What to do? What to do? Of course I had to GOOGLE it and the BEST and SIMPLEST explanation I got was this:Father's Day (Third Sunday in June)Quite interesting that there's few speculations on how it really started - but no matter, it is always GREAT to give Thanks and Celebrate our Love for our Dads...

Happy Father's Day to All Dads, and would be Dads!!!My Dad & I - June 2005. A year before his passing.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Another get together lunch with Juliana... at first, for lack of decisiveness we were going to go to our regular TGI Fridays, next to SOGO on Chung Hsiao East Rd, but somehow at the last minute, we opted instead to give this Hello Kitty themed restaurant a try... just off the road... Hello Kitty Sweets - What a place!!!

I have passed by this restaurant a couple of times before, and each time, it is jam packed with people.. I actually thought they only served desserts -- given what is displayed in the front window... rows and rows of cakes, all adorned with Hello Kitty's face. Depending on how you feel about Hello Kitty -.they are either total cuteness or overwhelmingly gaudy. I prefer to take the Fifth on this one with my opinion - hehehehehehe...The place is two floors of Hello Kitty Heaven... with Hello Kitty emblazoned on just about anything they can put her Kitty face on - from the walls to the furniture... to the place settings... and right down to the food... How about a Burger in the shape of Hello Kitty's head? Or each and every dessert served is adorned with Hello Kitty's smiling face... A total Hello Kitty overload...

Most everyone do not mind though -- from what I witnessed... young and old; man or woman; each dines with a smile on their faces... everyone getting up and about admiring both floors, and snapping photographs to show their friends (or to BLOG about - like me!)... From what I gathered, tourists from all over flock this place... and today was no different, as I heard Japanese and Cantonese spoken from the neighboring tables...

The food was not too bad but certainly not something I would want to go back for again and again... they were tasty enough but does not warrant the prices in my opinion. NT$500 (US$15.00) for a small size pizza (and I mean small), a drink, & a chocolate cookie; or NT$350 (US$11.00) for a slice of cake and a drink - is a bit on the pricey side. Honestly, what you come and pay for is the sheer joy of dining in the midst of Hello Kitty & her fans.For More Hello Kitty Cuteness - CLICK HERE!Hello Kitty according to WIKIPEADIAMy First Hello Kitty Post: Kawaii Ne!!!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Thanks to my friend, Iveta in the USA, I found out about these 4 new tokidoki characters designed especially for TARGET...

Not much INFO yet but they were introduced in one of the company's DM... for a BACK TO SCHOOL promo, am sure. As, according to Iveta: "they will be used for a line of school supplies - notebooks, binders, backbacks and tees." You know I would want them all.... so am POSTING now for help on keeping a look out for me, as am told TARGET starts getting Back To School goodies by the first week of JULY... Besides, it is never too early to BEG!!! hahahahahahaha

Monday, June 15, 2009

been raining cats & dogs here the last few days, adding frustrations to an otherwise, already confusing days of late... so I kept humming: "raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens.." -- well, you know the rest of the song My Fave things from The Sound of Music, am sure... anyway, it got me to thinking about my FAVE THINGS of late... so am sharing a few... just a few, believe me....

Saturday, June 13, 2009

In these INTERNET SUPER HIGHWAY times we are living in - where most of us wants everything to come fast, faster, fastest.. - the are of sending mail via the Postal Office has become practically obselete...

so it is not a puzzle how receiving a letter, a post card or a greeting card could being so much surprises & joy to the recipient... such were my sentiments upon reciving a BDAY card from Liya, all the way from the UK... at first my thoughts were" "Oh No she didn't??? she did not waste money on sending me a BDAY card...hmmm..." But upon a closer look, a feeling of overwhelming happiness rushed over me... the idea that someone actually cared enough to pick a card, write thoughts & feelings on it, and send it on especially for me was just overwhelming. And upon opening it up and reading through it - it brought me so much more warm fuzzy feelings... utter happiness and I could not be more appreciative for Liya's efforts and sentiments... made this past BDAY, even more special...

Thanks ever so much, Liya!!!

A doodle of Liya's current residence. One of the special art of snail mail that has been lost.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Recently, I got to see again one of my ALL TIME FAVE movies ever, In The Mood For Love... Released in 2000, this movie, IMHO, is an instant classic... no reviews can give it justice... Visually Stunning, ... Emotionally Driven.... Exquisite Costuming.... and Pure Subtle Emotional Acting from the two leads, Tony Leung (who won a Best Actor Award for the Film in Cannes) & Maggie Cheung (one of my all time fave actresses, very underrated and underused, ; also nominated in Cannes but instead won for a different film, CLEAN, a couple of years later). From director extra-ordinaire, who has such a HUGE CULT and INTENATIONAL following, Wong Kar Wai.

The JIST of the Story:Wong Kar-Wai returns with his most accessible work yet. Chow Mo-Wan (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) and his wife move into their apartment on the same day that Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung) and her husband move into the apartment next door. At first their relationship consists of passing pleasantries and mundane mahjong games with the neighbors but soon a sneaking suspicion bubbles its way to the surface. The increasing absence of their respective spouses arrives at the same time that Chow sees his wife carrying the same handbag as Mrs. Chan. Mrs. Chan, in turn, notices that her husband sports a tie similar to that worn by Chow. The two begin a clandestine friendship, and soon discover their desire turning from revenge to genuine passion.

What sounds like a typical weepie LOVE STORY is elevated to amazing levels by the principal players... even without much dialogue - the main actors, Maggie & Tony, conveys so much emotions throughout the film. Longing, Betrayal, Hurt, Revenge, Defeat, Happiness, Passion, etc... all emotions, sappy viewers like me, will feel and share throughout and long after the movie has ended... A MUST SEE!!!

Today, The Republic of the Philippines Celebrates it's 111th year of Independence.

Under Emilio Aguinaldo, the revolutionary forces of the Philippines, on June 12th 1898 proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.More INFO from WIKI Here. MABUHAY!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

This last trip in Manila, I was welcomed by one of the newest eye-catching billboards along EDSA, the capital's main super highway, (and believe me, at any given time, there are hundreds of them all over Manila!) -- this one is from BENCH - the nation's #1 producer of SEXY and even SEXIER Billboards (maker and seller of the country's SEXIEST UNDIES for both men & women) using all of the HOTTEST Local stars and celebrities.... even International ones, like Nicole from Pussycat Dolls.This new one boasts the country's #1 male star for many years now... and for me, he is one of the best the country has to offer, PIOLO PASCUAL. He sings, he dances, he can really act, and boy does he have the looks to go with it all... COMPLETE PACKAGE!!! And he gets better every year, as he gets older. Anyway, it seems the Billboards are way too sexy for the advertising council and they are asking for them to be taken down.... must be causing traffic and accidents... I don't know but to me, it is JUST SEXY without even trying.... not in a SEXUAL WAY to cause the said stir and controversy... HE IS JUST SEXY!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Oh well... no matter how it is supposed to be humdrum - something always comes along to make it not so... still, I am HAPPY - it was still a very quiet, relaxing lunch... more like a get together one than a BDAY celebration one.... so for this am HAPPY.... and the venue was the cool, and very healthy minded, AQUA Lounge in the infamous, AMBASSADOR HOTEL of Taipei.

Joined by David and Juliana(who also gifted me with a SUPER SPECIAL LEVI's X tokidoki Limited Edition Tee), it was a 3 hr plus of chatting and snacking on the cool offerings of AQUA.... everything was presented well, and very healthily prepared -- so it was not a SIN to try a bit of everything... and that, I DID!!! Wouldn't you???

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"Most people know that I love the simple things in life.... traveling is my one TRUE Passion.... I love to dance and to keep fit, RUNNING is my exercise of choice -- though with the TAIWAN heat, am inclined to go for a swim more..."